Device for dispensing pressuresensitive labels



June 1, 19,65 3,186,589

DEVICEFOR DIsPENsING PRESSURE-SENSITIVE LABELS J. A. wEsT ETAL Filed May 2, 1965 United States Patent O 3,186,589 DEVICE FR DISPENSING PRESSURE- SENSITIVE LABELS John A. West and William R. Eppes, Charlotte, NC.,

assignors to Ideato Equipment Company, a corporation of North Carolina Filed May 2, 1963, Ser. No. 277,535 8 Claims. (Cl. 221-13) This linvention relates to improvements in a device for dispensing labels from a web having a series of separately detachable labels adhered thereto along the length thereof by a pressure-sensitive adhesive. More particularly, the dispensing device according to the present invention is one in which the feeding of a web having a series of dispensable labels detachably mounted thereon is automatically controlled to provide for intermittent stopping of the feeding of the web, thereby permitting successive removal of individual labels from the web by the operator of the device with the feeding of the web being automatically resumed each time a label is removed therefrom to deliver another label on the web into a dispensable position for subsequent removal by the operator.

It is therefore an object of the Vpresent invention to provide in a device for dispensing labels from a web having a series of separately detachable labels mounted thereon, an improved control mechanism of simple construction for intermittently stopping the feeding of the web in order to permit successive removal of individual labels therefrom by an operator in a smooth, substantially continuous operation.

It is another object of this invention to provide a device of the character described for dispensing labels from a web having a series of separately detachable labels adhered thereto along the length thereof, wherein the web is fed along a predetermined path to provide for successive delivery of the labels on the web to a dispensable position in which a forwardly disposed portion of the leading label on the web is stripped from the web to project outwardly at an angle from the web so as to forcibly engage an actuator arm by continued movement of the leading label to the dispensable position moving the actuator arm in a direction for operating a control member to stop the feeding of the Web, whereupon the leading label can be removed from the dispensable position permitting the actuator arm to return to its previous position which operates the control member to resume feeding of the web for subsequent dispensing of another label in the same manner.

It is a further object of this invention to provide in a label dispensing device of the character described having an actuator arm forcibly engaged by the advancement of a leading label on the web thereagainst to stop feeding of the web for permitting removal of the leading label, an adjustment mechanism for properly positioning the actuator arm to accommodate label-containing webs where respective webs have labels of different width and/or length mounted thereon.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- FIGURE 1 is a perspective vieW of a device for dispensing pressure-sensitive labels in accordance with the present invention; and

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary enlarged longitudinal sectional view taken along the line 2-2 in FIGURE 1, parts being broken away.

Referring more specically to the drawings, there is illustrated a device for dispensing pressure-sensitive labels 19 which are mounted on an elongated web or backing strip 11 along the length thereof in separately detachable relationship. The dispensing device comprises a housing 12 within which is partially received a feed roll 13 containing a supply of the web l1 wound thereabout. In this connection, it will be observed that a rearwardly disposed upper portion of the housing 12 is open to provide a Well or recess for receiving a roll of the label-containing web 11 wound about the feed roll 13, the feed roll 13 being capable of accommodating webs of different widths and lengths. The feed roll 13 is rotatably supported by axles 14 extending laterally from the opposite sides thereof and being received within suitable notches 15 formed in the opposite side walls of the housing 12.

A portion of the label-containing web 11 is unwound from the roll thereof and threaded between a platform 16 having a at surface and `a removable flat pressure plate 17 which rests against the web Ill to hold it against the dat surface of the platform 16. The flat surface of the platform 16 terminates in a forwardly disposed edge 2@ over which the web 11 is sharply bent in a reverse direction, with the free end of the Web 11 being secured to a driven `take-up roll 21 having flanges 22 to retain the windings of the web 11 thereon. The take-up roll 21 is secured to a shaft 23 which is rotatably supported Within the housing l2. The shaft 23 carries a gear 24 which is adapted to be driven by an operating gear 25 in meshing engagement therewith. This construction generally conforms `to the dispensing device disclosed in US. Patent 3,077,919 issued to Alfred P. Krueger on February 19, 1963.

The operating gear 25 is secured on the power shaft 26 of an electric motor 27 which is connected in series with a variable speed drive mechanism in the form of a rheostat 28 having an adjustment knob 29 so that the power shaft 2.6 may be driven at a selected rate of rotation to rotate the take-up roll 2l at a selected rate of speed through the gearing arrangement described.

Feeding means are therefore provided for advancing the label-containing web 11 in a predetermined path of movement proceeding from an idler feed roll 13 to a driven take-up roll 2l, wherein the path of movement of the web 11 sharply changes direction as the web 1l passes over the forward edge 20 of the platform 16 to successively partially strip individual labels 10 from the Web 11 when each label lll advances past the forward edge 2% of the platform 1d. In this connection, each label lll adhered to the web I1 is successively delivered to a dispensable position in which the label l@ extends outwardly beyond the forward edge 2) of the platform 15 in partially stripped relationship from the web 1l and projecting outwardly at an angle therefrom.

In accordance with the present invention, an improved control means of simple construct-ion is employed to intermittently stop the feeding of the web 11 from the feed roll 13 to the take-up roll 21 by breaking the electrical circuit supplying electric energy to the motor 27 for rotating the take-up roll 21 through the rotation of the power shaft 26. To this end, the forwardly disposed wall or front wall of the housing 12 for the dispensing device adjustably supports a pivotal actuator arm 3D which is movable between positions operating a feed control switch 31 to complete and break the electrical circuit for the motor 27 to start and stop the feeding means for advancing the web 1l by providing for either rotation or nonrotation of the take-up roll 21. The actuator arm Sil' is enerally vertically elongated, being pivotally mounted at its lower end to the housing containing the control switch 31. The actuator arm Ell is disposed adjacent the forward edge Ztl of the platform 16 in spaced relation thereto, the actuator arm 3@ being adjustably positioned, as hereinafter described, so as to be spaced from the forward edge Ztl of the platform 16 a distance less than the dimension to which a label it may be stripped from the web l1 as the web 1l advances past the forward edge Ztl of the platform 16 and is sharply bent baclrwardly toward the take-up roll 21. One or more label supports 32 (two such label supports being shown in FEGURE l) may be secured to the front wall of the housing ll2 adia- Ycent the forward edge Ztl of the platform 1d so as to extend forwardly of the front wall to support the forwardly disposed portion of a label l@ which has been -stripped from the web 11 in a suspended dispensable position projecting outwardly at an angle from the web il.

The actuator arm Sti is normally biased to a rearward position by a resilient spring (not shown)` associated with Y a push-button 33 for opening and closing the switch 31,

the push-button 33 abutting the actuator arm 30 adjacent Y the lower pivotally mounted end thereof. Thus, as the web 11 is .being fed from the feed roll 13 to the take-up roll 21, the forwardly disposed portion of the leading label lil thereon is stripped from the web 11 as it is delivered to the dispensable position in the manner described and forcibly engages the actuator arm 30, whereupon continued movement of the leading label 1i) to the f dispensable position forces the actuator arm forwardly to its forward position, thereby depressing the push-button 33 and opening the switch 31 to stop feeding of the web 11. Movement of the web il is thereby stopped with the leading label ldthereon disposed in partially stripped relationship overlying the label support(s) 32 so that it can be readily removed.

When the leading label 10 is removed from the dispensable position by the operator, the actuator arm 3b is biased rearwardly about its lower pivotally mounted end by the extension of the push-button 33. Movementof the actuator arm 3? to its rearward position operates the switch 3l to close the switch 31 for completing the electrical circuit to operate the motor 27, thereby resuming the feeding of the web 1l by causing the taire-up roll 2l' to be rotated. This cycle of operations may be conp tinuously repeated toy successively remove each of the labels l@ from the web l1 in the manner described.

It will be noted that Vthe actuator arm 3@ includes a substantially` vertically extending, rear serrated surface 3d opposed to the leading edge of a label l@ as it is partially stripped from the web l. This serrated surface 34 on the actuator arm 3G provides a plurality of teeth therealong to prevent slipping of the forwardly disposed edge of the partially stripped label lil, as it is being delivered to the dispensable position, either upwardly or downwardly Valong the length of the actuator arm Sii' whichV mightrotherwise result' in the failure of the leading label distance to depress the pushbutton 33` for operating the switch 31 to open the electrical motor circuit and stop feeding of the web 1l.

' The control mechanism for intermittently stopping the feeding of the label-containing web il from the feed roll 13 tothe take-up roll 2l furtherfincludes adjustment i@ to force the actuator arm all forwardly a sufficient e means for regulating the position of the actuator arm Sl Y 'with respect Vto the forward edge Ztl of the platform 16 in both longitudinal and transverse directions. To this end, it will be observed that the switch housing-containing the control switch 3l and on which the actuator arm 39 is mounted for pivotal movement about its lower end is itself mounted on a base member dii. The base member d@ is provided with a generally horizontal rearwardly extending leg 4l and a dependent generally vertical leg 42 disposed at right angles to the rearwardly extending leg 41. The rearwardly extending leg 41 of the base member 40 is loosely received within a vertically elongated slot 43 of a rectangular block 44, the leg 4l being swivelly connected to the block 44 by a pin 45 carried by the block 44 and which extends transversely across the slot 43 andpenetrates the leg 4l of the base member 40.

The block dit is supported by a rack Si) secured to the front wall of the housing 12. The rack 5b comprises forwardly` extending end members 51 secured to the front wall of thehousing 12 and interconnected Yby an upper smooth shaft 52 and aV lower threaded shaft S3 extending therebetween -in spaced parallel relation with respect to each other. The block 44 is suitably apertured so as to be slidably received by the smooth shaft S2 and threadably received by the threaded shaft 53. The lower threaded shaft 53 may be rotated by .turning a knurled knob 55 affixed to one end thereof extend-ing outwardly of an end member 51 for adjusting the position of the block 44 .on the rack 5t?. Since the 'block 44 carries the base member il? through the connection between the pin d5 'and the leg 4.1 of the base member 4th-the position Vof the actuator arm 3i) mounted on the `switch housing of the controlswitch 31 whichis carried `bythe base mem.-

ber 4i@ Acan be adjusted longitudinally along the forwardY edge 20 of the platform i6 or transversely with respect to the opposite sides of the housing 12 byturning the knob 55 to rotate the threaded shaftt53. 4

Thespace existing between the actuator arm 30`wheu it is disposed in its normal rearward positiony and the forward edge 26 of the platform 16 may likewise b-e adjusted to a predetermined distance tio accommodate labels 10 of different lengthwise extent as mounted on the web l1. lt should bre-understood that this predetermined dist-ance should be such that the actuator arm 30 will lbe forced forwardly by engaging movement of a partially stripped label l@ tlhereagainst to in turn operate the switch 3l to stop the feeding of the web lil prior to com piete stripping of label 10 from the- 'backing web b1 to thus present the label l@ in dispensable'position. To this end, a threaded shaft 6l? is rotatably mounted at one end on `the block 44, theA threaded shaft 6@ extending forwardly of the block d4 and 'being threadably received through a late-ral extension 6l secured to the depen-dent leg 42 of the base member 49. A knurled knob 62 is provided on the forward end of the threaded shaft 60 and may be 4turned to rotate thethreaded shaft 60 for adjusting the Iposition of the lateral extension 61 on the threaded shaft di). Adjustment of the lateral Iextension 61 on the threaded shaft di? in the manner described causes the base member 49 to be pivoted about the pin i5 to which the legy Y`to the present invention may be .employed to dispense labels fromla web, whereinthe dimensions and positioning of the labels along the -web maybe varied over a wide range, while the' width of the webmay be changed to suit the particular size of the labels to be detachab-ly mounted thereon for sub-sequent dispensing.

In the drawings and specification there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention and .although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sensefonly and not for purposes of limitation, the scope Yof the invention being ydelined in the claims.

l. A device for dispensing labels from a web having a series of separately detachable labels adhered thereto -along the length thereof,Y said device comprising predetermined path of travel onto said web supportin-g plate and over and around said label stripping edge .for successively stripping the labels Vfrom the web and for successively delivering thelabels to a dispensable position in which a portion of each successive label is stripped from the web and projects forwardly from said label stripping edge,

(e) an actuator arm disposed forwardly of said label vstripping edge of said web supporting plate and extending into the path of travel of a label being stripped from the web and adapted to be engaged thereby, said actuator arm normally occupying a rearward position toward which the same is biased and being movable byv a label being stripped from the ,web to a forward position and being adapted to be held in this forward position -by each label in the dispensable position and aidsin maintaining th-e label in the dispensable position until the label is -removed, said actuator arm then returning to said rearl Ward position, and (d) control means operatively associated with said acf -tnator arm and said feeding means and operable in response to movement of said actuator arm to said forward position for stopping said feeding means and operable upon return of said actuator arm to said normal rearward position for actuating said feeding means.

I2. A label dispensing device according to claim 1 including (e) Ilabel supporting means disposed intermediate said .label stripping edge on said web supporting plate and said .actuator arm and adapted to receive each ,successive label being stripped from the web for supporting the labels as the same are delivered to l the dispensable position.

3. A label dispensing device according to cla-im 1 wherein said actuating arm has a plurality of serrations in the rearwardly facing surface thereof, said serrations being adapted to receive the leading edge of a label being stripped from the web therein for supporting this leading edge of the label and for insuring against relative movement between this leading edge of the label and said actuating arm.

f Mt. A device for dispensing labels from va web hav-ing a series of separately detachable labels adhered thereto along the length thereof, said device comprising (a) `a web supporting plate having a forward label stripping edge which is adapted to have a web with r labels thereon drawn thereover and therearound, (b) feeding means operatively associated with said web supporti-ng plate land the label stripping edge thereon for movi-ng theweb along a predetermined path of travel onto said web supporting plate and over and around said label stripping edge for successively stripping labels from the web and for successively delivering the l-abels to a dispensable position in which a portion of each successive label is Istripped from the web and projects Iforwardly from said label stripping edge,

(c) an actuator arm disposed forwardly o-f said label stripping edge of said web supporting plate and eX- tending into the path of travel of a label being stripped from the web and adapted to 'be engaged thereby, said actuator `arm having a plurality of ser- .rations in the rearwardly facing surface thereof adapted to receive the leading edge of each successive label 'bei-ng stripped from the web for supporting this leading edge and for preventing relative movement between this leading edge .and said actuator arm, said actuator arm normally occupying a rearward position toward which the same is biased and being movable by a label being stripped from the web to a forward Iposition and aiding in maintaining the label in `the dispensable position until the label 6 is removed, said actuator arm then returning to said rearward position,

(d) label supporting means disposed intermediate said label stripping edge on -said web supporting plate .and said actuator arm and adapted to receive each :successive label being stripped from the web for supporting the labels as the same are delivered to the dispensable position, and

(e) control 'means operatively associated with said actuator arm and said feeding means and operable upon movement of said actuator arm to said forward position for stopping said feeding means and operable l upon return of said actuator arm to said normal rearv ward position for actuating said fee-ding means.

5. A device for dispensing labels from a web having a series of separately detachable labels adhered thereto along the length thereof, said device comprising (a) a web supporting plate having a forward label stripping edgewhich is adapted to have a web with labels thereon drawn thereover and therearound,

(b) feeding means operatively associated with said web supporting plate and the labels-stripping edge thereon for moving the web along a predetermnied path of travel onto said web supporting plate and over and around said label stripping edge for successively stripping labels from the web and for successively delivering the labels to a dispensable position in which a portion ofeach successive label is stripped from the web and projects forwardly from said label stripping edge,

(c) an actuator arm disposed forwardly of said label stripping edge of said web supporting plate and eX- tending into the path of travel of a label being stripped from the web and adapted to be engaged thereby said actuator arm normally occupying a rearward position toward which the same is biased and being movable by a label being stripped from the web to a forward position and being adapted to be held in this forward position by each label in the dispensable position and aiding in maintaining the label in the dispensable position until the label is removed, said actuator arm then returning to said rearward positron,

(d) means mounting said actuator arm for adjustment toward and away from said label stripping edge of said web supporting plate for accommodating labels of varying size and for adjustment laterally of said label stripping edge for insuring correct registration of said actuator arm with the labels being stripped from the web, and

(e) control means operatively associated with said actuator arm and said feeding means and operable upon movement of said actuator arm to said forward position for stopping said feeding means and operable upon return of said actuator arm to said normal rearward position for actuating said feeding means.

6. AV label dispensing device according to claim 5 wherein said web supporting plate and the forward label stripping edge thereon are horizontally disposed and said actuator arm is vertically disposed and has a plurality of serrationsin the rearwardly facing surface thereof which are adapted to receive the leading edge of a label being stripped from the web therein for supporting the leading edge of the label-s and for preventing relative movement between the leading edge of the label and said actuating arm.

7. A device for dispensing labels from a web having a series of separately detachable labels adhered thereto along the length thereof, said device comprising (a) a web supporting plate having a forward label stripping edge which is adapted to have a web with labels thereon drawn thereover and therearound,

(b) feeding means operatively associated with said web supporting 4plate and the label .stripping edge thereon for moving the web along a predetermined 7 path of travel onto said web supporting plate and over and around said label stripping edge for successively stripping labels from the web and for successively delivering the labels to a' dispensable posi-V tion in which a portion of each successive labely is stripped from the web. and projects forwardly fromV 'said actuator armbeing movable between a rear-ry ward position spaced from said label stripping edge,`

a distance less than the length of the portion of each successive label which projects forwardly from said label' stripping edgey when the label is in said dispensable position and aforwardl position spaced a further distance away from said label stripping. edge than said rearward position, said actuator arm being adapted tobe moved from said, rearward position to said forward positionby the labelsbeing stripped v from theY web and aiding in maintaining the label in the dispensable position until the sameV is removed, (d) means operatively connected to said actuator arm for` biasing said actuator arm toward said rearward position but permitting movement of said actuator arm from the rearward tothe forward .position by the i labels being stripped from the web,

(e) means mounting sai-d actuator arm for adjustment i toward and' away from said labelstripping edge of said web supporting plate for accommodating labels of varying size, and mounting said actuator arm for adjustment laterally of said' label` stripping edge for insuring correct, registration of said actuator arm with the labels being stripped from' the web,

(f) label supporting means disposed between said label stripping edge on saidy web supporting plate and said actuator arm for supporting the successive .labels beingstripped from theweb as the same are delivered to and occupy the dispensabl'ejposition, and

(g) control means operatively associated with said ac-l tuator arm and saidfeeding means and operable upon Vmovement of said-actuator arm to said forward position for stopping said feeding means and ope-rable upon return of said actuator arm to said rearward position for actuatingsaid feeding means.

8. A control mechanism for intermittently stopping the movement' of a web having labelsdetachably adhered thereto along the extent thereofy to4 provide vfor the. successive removalof individual labels from the web, wherein they path of movement of the web sharply changes directionu at` one location therealong to successively cause each label to be partially stripped from the web as therespective label advances past' the location at which the path of movement of the web sharply changes direction for deliveringthe label to a dispensable position, said control mechanism comprising (a) an actuator arm disposed forwardly of the web and 1 movable between forward and rearward positions, saidi actuator arm being normallyv biased to a rearward position yin spaced alinement with the leadinglabel on the web and opposingY continued v movement of theY leading label to the-dispensable position, (b) means to adjust said .armin both transverse and j longitudinal directions with respect to the web for locating said arm in spaced alinement with the leading label on the web and opposing continued movement of the leading labelV to the dispensable position, said adjusting means comprising (1) a base on which saidarmg-is carried, f (2) a rack including a pairofshaftsdisposed in spaced parallel relationship and extending trans- Versely." to the web, one ofy said pair of shafts comprising a rstl threaded` shaft and, the .other shaft being smooth, Y (3)Y a yblock threadably received on` saidV iirst threaded shaft and slidrably received on Asaid smooth shaft, y (4) means pivotally connecting said baseto said block in a changeable selected fixed position, (5) said rst threaded shaft being rotatable to move' said block along said pair of shafts for imparting corresponding movement to said base and said arm carried thereby'to adjust .said arm in a transver-se direction with respect to the web,

(6) a second threaded shaftv rotatably mounted at one end on'said block and extending outwardly therefrom, l i (7) said base being threadably received. on said second threaded shaft, and Y (8) said secondrthreaded shaft being rotatable to pivotally-move` said base with respect to said block in adirection longitudinally of the web for adjusting the changeable selected-xed position of. said base,`thereby adjustingV said arm in a longitudinal direction with respect to the web,V

' (c) means operable byv movement of said arm toits forward positionfor stopping the movement Iofthe web, K

(d) said arm being moved to its forwardposition` in response to forcible engagement. of the. leading label with said arm and continued movement of theleading label to thedispensable position for stopping movement of the web, and

(je) the `movement of the webA being resumed in response to the removal of the leading label from the dispensable position returning said arm` to its normal rearward position.

References Cited ,by the Examiner v' UNITED STATES PATENTS 4/62 Freeland 221:'-22 3,033,417 5/62 VVanMeer 22ll3 tours J, DEMBo, Examiner. 

1. A DEVICE FOR DISPENSING LABELS FROM A WEB HAVING A SERIES OF SEPARATELY DETACHABLE LABELS ADHERED THERETO ALONG THE LENGTH THEREOF, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING (A) A WEB SUPPORTING PLATE HAVING A FORWARD LABEL STRIPPING EDGE WHICH IS ADAPTED TO HAVE A WEB WHICH LABELS THEREON DRAWN THEREOVER AND THEREAROUND, (B) FEEDING MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID WEB SUPPORTING PLATE FOR MOVING THE WEB ALONG A PREDETERMINED PATH OF TRAVEL ONTO SAID WEB SUPPORTING PLATE AND OVER AND AROUND SAID LABEL STRIPPING EDGE FOR SUCCESSIVELY STRIPPING THE LABELS FROM THE WEB AND FOR SUCCESSIVELY DELIVERING THE LABLES TO A DISPENSIBLE POSITION IN WHICH A PORTION OF EACH SUCCESSIVE LABEL IS STRIPPED FROM THE WEB AND PROJECTS FORWARDLY FROM SAID LABEL STRIPPING EDGE, (C) AN ACTUATOR ARM DISPOSED FORWARDLY OF SAID LABEL STRIPPING EDGE OF SAID WEB SUPPORTING PLATE AND EXTENDING INTO THE PATH OF TRAVEL OF A LABEL BEING STRIPPED FROM THE WEB AND ADAPTED TO BE ENGAGED THEREBY, SAID ACTUATOR ARM NORMALLY OCCUPYING A REARWARD POSITION TOWARD WHICH THE SAME IS BIASED AND BEING MOVABLE BY A LABEL BEING STRIPPED FROM THE WEB TO A FORWARD POSITION AND BEING ADAPTED TO BE HELD IN THIS FORWARD POSITION BY EACH LABEL IN THE DISPENSABLE POSITION AND AIDS IN MAINTAINING THE LABEL IN THE DISPENSABLE POSITION UNTIL THE LABLE IN REMOVED, SAID ACTUATOR ARM THEN RETURNING TO SAID REARWARD POSITION, AND (D) CONTROL MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID ACTUATOR ARM AND SAID FEEDING MEANS AND OPERABLE IN RESPONSE TO MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATOR ARM TO SAID FORWARD POSITION FOR STOPPING SAID FEEDING MEANS AND OPERABLE UPON RETURN OF SAID ACTUATOR ARM TO SAID NORMAL REARWARD POSITION FOR ACTUATING SAID FEEDING MEANS. 